Louisiana Driving & Vehicles Laws (2026)
A comprehensive legal reference for driving & vehicles in the state of Louisiana. This guide covers current statutes, penalties, and restrictions for 8 different categories.
Driving Barefoot
LEGALLouisiana law does not prohibit driving barefoot. The Louisiana Revised Statutes do not contain any provisions regarding footwear for drivers.
State Law
None
Practical Considerations
None
Penalties
N/A
Lane Splitting (Motorcycles)
ILLEGALLouisiana Revised Statutes §32:81 prohibits motorcycles from lane splitting or lane sharing. Motorcycles must remain in a single lane and may not pass between lanes of traffic.
Lane Splitting Rules
No specific rules related to lane splitting possession.
Lane Filtering Rules
No specific rules related to lane splitting sale or purchase.
Penalties
Violations are punishable by fines and may be considered a moving violation.
License Requirements
None
License Plate Covers
ILLEGALLouisiana law prohibits applying any covering or substance to a license plate that obscures it, including clear covers. House Bill 846, passed in March 2026, reinforces this prohibition.
Usage Rules
Illegal to possess and use any license plate cover that obscures the plate
Purchase & Sale
Illegal to sell license plate covers intended to obscure plates
Penalties
Traffic violation with fines; may result in vehicle inspection failure
Age Restriction
N/A
Radar Detectors
LEGALRadar Detectors are legal in Louisiana. Louisiana law prohibits radar detectors only in commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds.
Passenger Vehicle Use
Legal in private passenger vehicles; illegal in commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds.
Commercial Vehicle Rules
No restrictions on sale or purchase.
Penalties
N/A for private vehicles; fines for commercial vehicle violations.
Age Restriction
None
Radar Jammers
ILLEGALRadar jammers are federally illegal in all states including Louisiana under FCC regulations. There have been no recent legislative changes in Louisiana regarding laser jammers.
State Law
Radar jammers: federally illegal. Laser jammers: legal
Federal Law
Laser jammers may be sold; radar jammers illegal
Penalties
Federal penalties for radar jammers. Laser jammers are unregulated.
Age Restriction
N/A
Right Turn on Red
LEGALRight turn on red is legal in Louisiana after coming to a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and cross traffic, unless a sign prohibits it at a specific intersection. A bill was advanced in March 2026 to fine drivers for bypassing red lights using shoulders or turning lanes, but no other m...
General Rule
Legal after complete stop
Exceptions & Restrictions
N/A
Penalties
Traffic violation if sign prohibits it at specific intersection.
Driver Requirements
N/A
Studded Snow Tires
ILLEGALThe use of studded tires is prohibited on public roads in Louisiana with no exceptions.
Usage Rules
Illegal to use on public roads
Seasonal Restrictions
Illegal to sell for road use
Penalties
Civil citation and fines
Age Restriction
N/A
Window Tinting
RESTRICTEDLouisiana requires front side windows to have at least 25% VLT, rear side and back windows may be tinted darker. Windshield tinting is allowed only above the AS-1 line. These rules are in Louisiana Revised Statutes § 32:295.1.
Tint Limits (VLT %)
Vehicles must comply with tint limits when operated.
Medical Exemptions
Sale of tint films not meeting state standards is prohibited.
Penalties
Fines and possible vehicle inspection failure.
Age Restriction
None